EEA(PR) apprication with gaps, date you first entered the UK

[sawitar]

Hello,

I'm in a process of obtaining PR certificate for myself (as a qualified person) and my wife (as relative to qualified person). We are both EU citizens.

I have two questions regarding EEA(PR) form:
1. Very first time I entered UK was in 2006. I lived here for about 9 months (working and studying), than I left and came back in 2012. Since this gap was longer than 6 months I can't claim PR on this period.
I relocated back to UK in 2012. Since than I have been living and working in UK continuously for 5 years.

What shall I put in 'Date you first entered the UK' field (2006 or 2012)?
Putting 2006 is factually true but this would also mean I should include my work and university details from 2006 that are not relevant.
While 2012 is relevant for this application but not factually true.

2. My wife relocated to UK together with me in 2012 but she has visited UK on several occasions before.
Shall I put her very first visit to UK in 'Date you first entered the UK' or date we have relocated to UK?

[ElizabethApricot]

The application questions are so poorly worded. You could try calling the EU helpline and ask them how to interpret them, but they might not know any better than you.

Another option is to apply with a paper application and then write in what you mean; then it will be both relevant and factually true.

For example, you could write the 2012 date and write "start date of qualifying period" next to it. Then you could attach an explanation that you were in the UK in 2006, but it's not relevant because it's not part of your qualifying period. There might also be an option on the online form to put additional comments, so that could be another option, but my opinion is still that the paper form allows more flexibility.